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Young Families

There is an abundance of things to do to keep our youngest visitors happy in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. You can’t come to the area without a woodland walk and whether it’s raining or the sun is shining the trees are often a great place to shelter. If you enjoy walking and need a trail to follow then the sculpture trail from Beechenhurst is a good start. Forestry England also often have seasonal trails to follow which in previous years have included the Gruffalo or Shaun the Sheep.

A hidden gem for our younger visitors is Perrygrove, with its with steam train rides that circle a children’s play fort complete with slides and lookouts as well as woodland pathways and an undercover play area that makes you feel like you have stepped into toy town. Perrygrove is opposite one of the must-go attractions in the area, Puzzlewood, with its magical mystical natural woodland pathways it is a breathtaking sight which is why it is used regularly in TV and films such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Doctor Who, Merlin and even Tree Fu Tom.

Other attractions loved by our younger visitors include the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo and aMazing Hedge Puzzle where you can play hide and seek whilst you find your way into the middle of the maze. There are many majestic castles to visit in the area too including Goodrich Castle, Raglan Castle, Chepstow Castle and Caldicot Castle and they often run events, trails and activities to follow that let your little ones' imaginations run wild.

If cycling is your thing, you can take your own or hire a bike (and child’s seat) and head out for an hour or two onto the Family Cycling Trail. You can also hire a canoe (minimum age 4) and spend a few hours gently floating down the river – keep an eye out for otters swimming along the water's edge and kingfishers flitting past.

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Cycle with Your Pooch Experience Day

Address

Wye-Bikes, Bells Hotel & Country Club, Lords Hill, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 8BE

Telephone
07856 597044

info@wye-bikes.co.uk

Lords Hill, Coleford

A full day of cycle hire with bike delivery and collection including a dog trailer so you and your pooch can enjoy a day of fun in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Price: £80 per person/minimum of 2 adults
Length of experience: 6 hours

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Facilities

Suitability
- Dog Owners
Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Facilities

Suitability
- Families
Children
- Children welcome
Gooch Sports and Leisure

Address

The Corner Shop, Church Street, Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1PP

Telephone
01531 821084

goochsports@btconnect.com

Newent

A traditional, friendly family business in the centre of Newent selling sporting goods, a good selection of swimwear and equipment, club kits, ballet and dance wear.

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The Severn Bore

Address

Church Lane, Minsterworth, Gloucestershire, GL2 8JJ

Minsterworth

The Severn Bore is one of Britain's few truly spectacular natural phenomena. Watch this powerful wave as it gains power flowing up the Severn Estuary. Spring and autumn are when it is at its highest, see our recommended places to watch it and find out the latest dates.

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The Viking Games

Address

Middle Cefn Farm, Ewyas Harold, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR2 0JH

Telephone
01981 240896

admin@battlelands.co.uk

Hereford

Viking Games in the Herefordshire hills

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Facilities

Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Wye Valley Sculpture Garden

Address

The Nurtons, Tintern, Chepstow, Gwent, NP16 7NX

Telephone
01291 350 023

info@wyevalleysculpturegarden.co.uk

Chepstow

The Wye Valley Sculpture Garden is the creation of artist Gemma Kate Wood, that she has built over the last 20 years.
The garden has grown into a beautiful venue that hosts her sculpture collection and excitingly, the work of 23 other artists to create the Summer Sculpture Exhibition.

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Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Chocolate Truffle Making Workshop

Address

The Chocolate Bar, Taurus Crafts, Lydney Park Estate, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 6BU

Telephone
07855 229334

thechocolatebar@live.co.uk

Lydney Park Estate, Lydney

Join this chocolate and cake company to make a truffle centre, pipe it and shape the truffles, as well as learning how to temper chocolate. You will then have the opportunity to take home what you make. Situated at Taurus Crafts near Lydney in the Forest of Dean.
Price: £25 per person
Length of experience: 2 hours

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Family Cookery Experience

Address

Harts Barn Cookery School, Monmouth Road, Longhope, Gloucestershire, GL17 0QD

Telephone
01452 831719

info@hartsbarncookeryschool.co.uk

Longhope

Join Harts Barn Cookery School for some quality family time! Bring the family together and spend the morning cooking delicious dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. Learn new skills, teach your children some essential life skills and enjoy the great company and venue. You will prepare and cook a 3-course meal and then enjoy eating your creations together in the Apple Barn dining venue adjacent to the cookery school.
Price: £40 per person
Length of experience: 3 hours

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Suitability
- Families
Whitecliff Ironworks

Address

Newland Street, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 8NB

Coleford

Whitecliff Ironworks is an important and unique heritage site in the Forest of Dean. It was the second coke-fired blast furnace of three built in the Forest of Dean and the industrial remains today remind us of the association of producing iron using coke.

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Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Llama Trekking experience and meet the babies

Address

Briery Hill Llamas, Briery Hill House, Briery Hill Lane, Kilcot, Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1NH

Telephone
01989 720517

info@brieryhillllamas.co.uk

Kilcot, Newent

Visit our llama farm for an unforgettable experience. Your experience will begin with a short introduction to llamas, including grooming and general interaction with the llamas. As part of your experience you will get to meet the babies and learn about how llamas carry their young for 11½ months.
Price: £47.99 per person.
Length of experience: 2 hours

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Facilities

Children
- Children welcome - Not suitable for children under 8.
Wobage Maker's Gallery

Address

Wobage Farm Craft Workshops, Upton Bishop, Nr Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7QP

wobagegallery@gmail.com

Nr Ross-on-Wye

Contemporary craft gallery in the south Herefordshire hills. Beautiful work, made and sold here by the makers. Ceramics, furniture, wood-carving, kitchenwood, basketry, jewellery and collagraph prints.

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Accessibility
- Disabled access
Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Family Mountain Biking Experience with Dean Forest Cycles

Address

Dean Forest Cycles, Whitecroft Road, Parkend, Gloucestershire, GL15 4HG

Telephone
01594 368009

contactus@deanforestcycles.co.uk

Parkend

Enjoy a taste of mountain biking with our friendly experienced guides. These sessions are individually tailored to each family, to ensure all have a wonderful cycling experience to remember. No need to be an experienced rider or even own your own bike to take advantage and enjoy this taste of mountain biking!
Price: £160 per family of 4
Length of experience: 3 hours

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Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Bushcraft with Borderlands Outdoor

Address

The Doward, Symonds Yat West, Herefordshire, HR9 6DU

Telephone
07580 135869

info@borderlandsoutdoor.com

Symonds Yat West

Learn basic survival skills on one of our hands-on bushcraft courses. We’ll lead you through the priorities of survival and a range of techniques for living comfortably in the wild. Our friendly instructors will introduce you to primitive survival skills from a time when life moved more slowly and thoughtfully.
Price: TBA
Length of experience: 3 hours

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Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Traditional Afternoon Tea at The Speech House Hotel

Address

Speech House Road, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 7EL

Telephone
01594 822607

info@thespeechhouse.co.uk

Coleford

Afternoon Tea at the historic Speech House is a suitably traditional affair with fine bone china, a tiered cake stand of indulgent treats, and a selection of fine teas to choose from.
If you wanted to indulge after a long walk in the forest, or pamper yourself just because, an Afternoon Tea at The Speech House in Coleford, in the glorious Forest of Dean will suit you perfectly.
Price: £17.50 per adults/£8.75 per child
Approx length of visit: 1 - 2 hours

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Gloucester Cathedral

Address

12 College Green, Gloucester, GL1 2LR

Telephone
01452 528095

reception@gloucestercathedral.org.uk

Gloucester

Gloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, stands in the north of the city near the river.

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Facilities

Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted - Assistance dogs only inside the Cathedral
Facilities

Children
- Children welcome
Gorge Scrambling Experience with Inspire2Adventure

Address

Clydach Gorge, Clydach, Monmouthshire, NP7 0LR

Telephone
01600 891515

info@inspire2adventure.com

Clydach

There's lots of fun to be had, climbing waterfalls and scrambling over rocks, as well as a few challenges along the way (depending on how brave you are!) - from balancing along ledges above the water to venturing through a tunnel with water rushing through. Conquer those fears and you'll feel a fantastic sense of achievement. Gorge Scrambling is suitable for all ages.
Price: £46 per adult & £37 per child
Length of experience: 2½ hours

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Facilities

Suitability
- Families
Children
- Children welcome
Self Guided Canoe Trips

Address

Symonds Yat, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6DA

Telephone
01600 890470

Ross-on-Wye

Go with the flow on one of our self guided Canadian Canoe trips down the River Wye. Choose from 1/2 day ( 8 mile), full day (14 miles) to 5 day journey depending on your experience and time available. Canoes available for hire from 15th March to 30th September. Booking essential. Canadian Canoes, paddles, lifejackets & waterproof containers for your belongings are all provided. We also transport you to your launch site and pick you up at the end of your journey. U18’s must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age 4. Dogs welcome.…

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Facilities

Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Ruardean Church - St Johns

Address

Ruardean, Gloucestershire, GL17 9US

Ruardean

12th century parish church with commanding views over the Wye Valley.

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Penallt Old Church

Address

Penallt, Monmouthshire, NP25 4SE

Penallt

13th century church standing 600 feet above the River Wye with superb views of the valley. Definitely a place to visit although it is now a long way from the centre of the modern village.

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Ty Gwyn Cider

Address

Pen Y Lan Farm, Pontrilas, Herefordshire, HR2 0DL

Telephone
07976 277268

alex@tygwyncider.co.uk

Pontrilas

Ty Gwyn Cider - Real artisan/craft farm cider in a stunning location on the Welsh border. Visit our destination cider shop for a warm welcome and free tasting.

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Newent Church - St Mary's

Address

Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1AB

Newent

St. Mary's Church has been a place of worship for almost 800 years. The 150ft spire on its 14th Century tower is a landmark for miles around.

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